Super Bowl Ring For Jake Scott

For many University of Idaho alumni and fans, the Indianapolis Colts impressive 29-17 Super Bowl victory over the Chicago Bears today was cause for celebration. In particular, we salute starting right guard JAKE SCOTT, a Lewiston (ID) native and 4-year starter on the Vandal offensive line who was drafted by the Colts in 2004 and has been a starter at right guard since his rookie season.

Idaho's starting left tackle for 4 years.

Since the day he walked on at Idaho as a Lewiston High School graduate in 1999 (was also born in Lewiston, Idaho), he has been a deceptively effective lineman at every level he has played. Not particularly large by Division 1A standards, Scott made his first start for the Vandals in the season opener as a redshirt freshman left tackle at Idaho in 2000 (started 11 of Idaho's 12 games that year on an offense that averaged 453.2 yards per game) and never looked back. He went on to start 45 games for the Vandals - he did not miss a start as a sophomore, junior or senior - and earned All-Conference honors his senior year.

Scott was drafted in the 5th round (141st pick overall) of the 2004 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. By the fourth game of the season he moved into the starting lineup at right guard and ended up starting 9 of 12 games for the Colts that year, plus both of the Colt's playoff games. He helped pave the way for a prolific offense which produced a 4000+ yard passer in Peyton Manning and 1000+ yard rusher in Edgerrin James. The line that year surrendered just 14 sacks...a league low. His efforts earned him a selection to the Football Digest NFL All-Rookie Team.

First half action in today's Super Bowl between the Colts and Bears.

In 2005 Scott started all 16 regular season games, including 14 at right guard and two at right tackle. The offense produced over 5000 yards of offense again, and gave up a league low 20 sacks. Since Scott became a starter on the talented and veteran (among starters) Colt O-line, Indy has led or tied for the lead in fewest sacks allowed each of the last two seasons. In the playoffs that year, he started at right guard for the Colts when they took on the eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburg Steelers.

At 6-5, 295-pounds, Scott has started every regular season game this year and all three post-season games for the Colts. During their playoff run, the offensive line was impressive both in pass protection and in paving the way for the Colt rushing attack. They thumped Kansas City 23-8, beat favorite Baltimore on the road 15-6, and finally beat New England in the playoffs...a 38-34 victory at home.

And tonight Jake Scott and the Colts took home the ultimate prize for anyone playing football, at any level. They beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI, in a constant and at time heavy downpour, as Peyton Manning - referred to by many as the "best quarterback of his generation" - finally notched that previously elusive Championship victory.

Seeing Scott - an Idaho native and UI alum - play so well, against a defense as impressive as the Bears, on a stage as big as this, made the victory that much more satisfying to witness.

Super Bowl action, Colts vs. Bears (2007).

Super Bowl action, Colts vs. Bears (2007).

Super Bowl action, Colts vs. Bears (2007).

Playoff action, Colts vs. Patriots (2007).

Regular season, Colts vs. 49ers.